John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 850: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that a residency application for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33376/07]

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 853: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that a residency application for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo is processed immediately as their current work permit is about to expire and they have been recently made redundant and are now job seeking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33389/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 853 together.

The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

Applications for long term residency are dealt with in chronological order as this method is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received on 2 June 2006. A refusal letter was issued in July 2006 as she did not meet the criteria. A second application was received in December 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. The Immigration Division of my Department will be in contact with the person concerned outlining the options available to her.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 851: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when an application for a stamp four will be approved for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if this matter will be expedited to enable the applicant to complete the purchase of a house. [33377/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 850 and 853 together. The position in relation to granting long term residency is as follows: Persons who have been legally resident in the State for over five years on the basis of work permit/work authorisation/work visa conditions may apply to the Immigration Division of my Department for a five year residency extension. In that context they may also apply to be exempt from employment permit requirements.

The dependants of the aforementioned, who have been legally resident in the State for over five years may also apply for long term residency. This particular long term permission does not grant an exemption from employment permit requirements to any such dependants. Time spent in the State on student conditions cannot be counted towards long term residency. While applications for long term residency are under consideration, the person concerned should ensure that their permission to remain in the State is kept up to date.

An application for long term residency from the person referred to by the Deputy was received in March 2007. I understand that applications received in July 2006 are currently being dealt with. As soon as a decision is made on the case, the person concerned will be notified.